Over the summer, the Western Hockey League will be celebrating the WHL Graduates from the 2024-25 season in a 22-part, team-by-team series.
Today, we continue with the graduating players from the Portland Winterhawks.
Kyle Chyzowski (F)
Hometown: Surrey, B.C.
WHL Career Stats: 273 GP – 90 G-141 A – 231 PTS
WHL Draft: 2019 – 3rd Round, 58th Overall (Portland)
This one is going to sting, Winterhawks faithful.
After five years, longtime fan-favourite Kyle Chyzowski will not return to the Glass Palace as the 20-year-old is a member of the WHL’s outgoing graduating class of 2025. For half a decade, the crafty forward has been a staple on the Winterhawks roster – wowing arena patrons since his WHL debut on March 18, 2021. Originally selected in the third round (58th overall) of the 2019 WHL Prospects Draft, Chyzowski made an on-ice impact in just his first season with Portland. Chyzowski recorded his first career goal in just his sixth game with the club and rattled off six points (1 G-5 A) in his opening, 20-game campaign during the 2020-21 season. Chyzowski’s offensive presence grew each season he spent in the Rose City, setting a career-best in point totals during the 2022-23, 2023-24, and 2024-25 seasons. His most impressive feat came during his 20-year-old season, however. With 105 points (41 G-64 A) in 66 appearances, Chyzowski’s 2024-25 campaign marked the first time he hit the 40-goal, 100-point stage in his Western League career. Chyzowski’s legacy in Portland also extended past the ice surface, as the Surrey, B.C. local spent two seasons as an alternate captain before being promoted to the Club’s captain for the 2024-25 season. Having completed his WHL eligibility, Chyzowski is headed to the University of Denver for the 2025-26 season.
Tyson Jugnauth (D)
Hometown: Kelowna, B.C.
WHL Career Stats: 106 GP – 20 G-110 A – 130 PTS
WHL Draft: 2021 – 7th Round, 147th Overall (Kamloops)
NHL Draft: 2022 – 4th Round, 100th Overall (Seattle)
Although brief, Tyson Jugnauth’s tenure with the Portland Winterhawks is one that won’t soon be forgotten.
After signing his WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement on December 7, 2023, Jugnauth’s addition to the Winterhawks’ coop paid off instantaneously. Joining the U.S. Division Club after a short, two-season stint with the NCAA’s Wisconsin Badgers, Jugnauth recorded two assists in his WHL debut on December 9, 2023. The blueliner went on to ride this hot streak for the rest of his inaugural season, tallying up 41 points (7 G-34 A) in 41 appearances. And, let’s not forget about Jugnauth’s 16 points (4 G-12 A-18 GP) during Portland’s trip to the 2024 WHL Championship Series. The product of Kelowna, B.C., and Seattle Kraken prospect also returned for the 2024-25 season – and hit the ice with a vengeance. The 20-year-old defenceman was impossible to contain during his final year of junior hockey eligibility, racking up 89 points (13 G-79 A) in 65 appearances. Jugnauth’s success once again carried into the post-season, where he collected 33 points (4 G-29 A) during Portland’s second straight trip to the Western Conference Championship Series. Leading all WHL defenceman in regular season points and assists, Jugnauth’s dominant campaign reflected well during the Western League’s season-ending award designations. Jugnauth, the recipient of the Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy, became the eighth Portland blueliner – and first since 2014 – to win the WHL’s Defenceman of the Year award. He was also named to the WHL Western Conference First All-Star Team, joining teammate Kyle Chyzowski. Jugnauth’s accolades continued to roll in after his Western League graduation, as he was signed to an entry-level contract with the Seattle Kraken in May 2025.
https://twitter.com/TheWHL/status/1919807144003830183
Ryder Thompson (D)
Hometown: Russell, Man.
WHL Career Stats: 263 GP – 14 G-69 A – 83 PTS
WHL Draft: 2021 – 5th Round, 105th Overall (Portland)
Rounding out the Portland Winterhawks graduating class of 2025 is longtime defenceman, Ryder Thompson. Ever since his fifth-round selection in the 2019 WHL Prospects Draft, all Thompson has known is life as a Winterhawk. From his WHL debut on March 18, 2021, to his final appearance on May 1, 2025, the blueliner has called Veterans Memorial Coliseum his home. He’s suited up in 263 regular season appearances and 56 postseason showings, recording 83 points (14 G-69 A) and 13 points (2 G-11 A), respectively. However, Thompson’s most successful season to date came during the 2023-24 campaign. Netting an impressive 22 points (1 G-22 A) in 67 skates, Thompson – and his lockdown-type game – helped the Winterhawks reach the 2024 WHL Championship Series against the Moose Jaw Warriors. And, despite falling short of the Ed Chynoweth Cup, Thompson skated in 18 games and recorded three points (1 G-2 A). Now, having completed his WHL career, Thompson is taking his talents to the NCAA scene, having committed to Miami University (Ohio) for the 2025-26 season.
https://twitter.com/TheWHL/status/1858207691329478921
